3 Reasons To Doubt Snowden's Claim That He 'Has No Relationship With The Russian Government At All'

Edward Snowden, living under asylum in Russia, gave a riveting interview to NBC's Brian Williams during which the former NSA contractor denied coordinating with the Russian government and argued the merits of his leak of hundreds of thousands of classified NSA documents.

"I have no relationship with the Russian government at all. I'm — I've never met the Russian president. I'm not supported by the Russian government," Snowden said. "I'm not taking money from the Russian government. I'm not a spy, which is the real question."

A few facts contradict this statement: Snowden's Moscow lawyer, Anatoly Kucherena, works for Russia's post-Soviet security services (FSB). Snowden, who also said that he was "trained as a spy," also lives in an undisclosed location under Russian protection.

Lastly, the former CIA technician gave the interview in the hotel where NBC's crew was staying, which is right across the river from Vladimir Putin's office and official residence. This may be nothing more than an ironic coincidence, but it is indicative of Snowden's overall situation.

Williams and Snowden spoke at the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski, on the opposite side of the River Moskva as the Kremlin. As shown by Google street view, the interview took place within walking distance to Putin's seat of power.

Basically, Snowden's claim that he has "no relationship with the Russian government at all" appears to be disingenuous. And he made it while sitting next to the Kremlin's heart.